By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Residents of Taraba state on Tuesday alleged that governor Agbu Kefas alongside few stakeholders in the state have perfected plans to divert the €25 million European Investment Bank loan secured for the construction of 500-kilometre roads across the state.
Our correspondent reports that the Minister of finance Mr Wale Edun had recently, on behalf of Taraba, Benue, Edo, Anambra, Borno and Cross River states, signed a 30-year agreement loan of 150 million euros with the European Investment Bank to construct 500 kilometer roads in the six state.
According to the minister, the money which is to be disburse to states account within June 2024, the six state are to gate €25 million each, and is strictly for roads construction especially rural roads.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have raised the alarm that while other states have finished the kilometer mapping of the roads to commence work as soon as the money is disburse, no single kilometer has been map, while some credible sources have informed that plans have been perfected to divert the funds.
Mr Ambita Ezra, Musa John Adi and Titus Habu Kona, told correspondent that sources have reviewed that governor Kefas and few stakeholders have perfected plans to share 70 per cent of the money and use 30 per cent for the 85 per cent completion roads left by former governor Darius Ishaku in Yorro, Bali, Gassol and Donga local governments.
“Why we are beginning to agree with reports that governor Agbu Kefas and few stakeholders are planning to divert the €25 million euros by the European Investment Bank for Taraba to construct 500 kilometer roads across the state is that, while the other five states who have also secure the loan alongside Taraba, have finished the roads kilometer mapping and have made it public for citizens to be aware of the development, while governor Kefas has not disclose the development to citizens, and no single kilometer has been map in respect to that.
“We learnt that plans are on ground to divert and share 70 per cent of the money while 30 per cent will be use to complete the 85 per cent completion roads left by former governor Darius Ishaku’s administration in Yorro, Bali, Gassol and Donga local governments.
“The silence of the governor over the money is suspicious. We want him to tell the public which of the roads would be captured in the mapping of the 500 kilometers.
“The governor has made so many promises even when money was not on ground, and we are wondering why he is being silent now that the European Investment Bank has signed the cheque to disburse €25 million for the construction of 500 kilometer roads across Taraba,” the residents queried.
When contacted, Taraba state Commissioner for works, Mr Moses Luka, asked our correspondent to call governor Agbu Kefas, to get a written letter and submit to the ministry before he would respond.
“Call the governor and get a written letter sign by him and submit to my ministry before I would respond to what you are asking. I did not secure the loan, the state government secure the loan so, call the governor to give you a letter so that I will talk to you,” the Works Commissioner directed.
This is just as the state commissioner for information, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo did not answer calls put to her cell phone neither, reply to text messages sent.
However, Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Special Adviser to Governor Kefas on media and digital communication, urged Tarabans not to panic, as governor Kefas has no intention to lot Taraba treasury or, divert any money meant to develop the state.
“No one should panic, there is no hiding agenda by the governor in anyway. Plans for the roads kilometer mapping has already been completed by the ministry of workers so, no one should be panic.
“Governor Kefas intention is to ensure total transformation of Taraba, and is not collaborating with any stakeholder to divert money. Money meant for the development of Taraba would always be judiciously use for the purpose meant for,” Bello added.
